Vermont's romantic place for Gay Marriage

The elegant Hartness House Estates is the perfect destination for your unforgettable gay equality wedding and same sex elopement

Hartness House has a long historic tradition as an unique wedding reception site and site for renewal of vow and commitment ceremonies, civil unions, and banquets. The Hartness House is frequently chosen for our beautiful and enchanted wedding gardens filled with lilacs, white lace, begonias, wisteria vines, wedding roses, hydrangeas, sweeping lawns, pergola gardens and white house gazebo; our spacious ballrooms and dining rooms, our award-winning chef and catering team; and a wide range of lodging and accommodations for ceremony and banquet guests. The Hartness House is the perfect choice for your gay marriage, civil union ceremony.

Vermont is proud to offer Gay Marriages

In April 2009, the Vermont Legislation enacted Equality marriage into the Vermont Statues. Beginning September 2009, gay marriages, also known as same sex marriages and equality marriages, will become law and Vermont will officially recognize and issue marriage licenses for gay couples. A copy of the Vermont statue Civil Marriage legistation revised for gay marriages is here. Almost ten years ago Vermont was the first state to enact a law that permitted civil unions, by a margin of one vote. The fact that this law was enacted by two-thirds of the legislators is one indicator of how much has changed.

Not every gay or lesbian person will want to get married, but now every gay and lesbian person can feel a little more safe, experience a little more dignity, and most important of all, feel proud, proud not only for themselves (gay pride), but for the citizens of this small state which has had the good sense to do the right thing.

Summary of our all-inclusive gay wedding packages

For gay weddings with more than 20 guests see our Wedding Planning Guide will provide all the information to help plan your gay marriage.

Our elopement packages are a simple way for gay couples to get married in Vermont quickly. These packages range from inexpensive, budget elope packages to our luxury Ultimate elope package. Our packages simplify the process of making sure your Elope includes all the important elements of your wedding:

Would you like to invite a few of your friends and family to your small wedding? Then look at our Elope Plus package add-on.

Notes to packages:

• Your Arrival Welcome Basket consists of wine and assortment of cheeses and fruits and cracker platter, chocolates, and a personal bath set. ID may be required to comply with state liquor regulations.
    
• Two nights accommodations in Elegant and Deluxe Package are in the Charles Lindbergh Room complete with private bath, oversized windows overlooking the Hartness Observatory, large-screen TV and sound system, king-sized bed, telephone with voicemail and automated wake-up and attendant, private heat control and air conditioning. You will be automatically upgraded at arrival time to the James Hartness Suite if available.
  
  The James Hartness Suite consists of private bath with whirlpool, private sitting room with fireplace and home theater system, and queen-size canopy bedroom with telephone with voicemail and automated wake-up and attendant, private heat control and air conditioning.
    
• Your reception dinner will be held in the Governors Room Restaurant. It features linen tablecloths, fine china and stemware, and candle-lit tables. A speical five-course dinner is served followed by your personal wedding cake. Feel free to request any remaining wedding cake to be frozen to take home with you. Your Champagne toast will be served during your reception dinner.
    
• Your Champagne Breakfast in Bed is served in your room at a time that you designate. A menu card will be presented at arrival; kindly complete the menu card and leave it hanging from your door the evening before.
    
• Our Wedding Guide will list all the local churches and Justices of the Peace. Discuss your selection with our staff for recommendations. Justice of the Peace fees are included in your package. Wedding license information is included.
    
• The bride will receive a bridal bouquet and the groom will receive a groom's boutineer for the ceremony in our choice of seasonally available colors. If you have a color preference, kindly discuss it with our staff. Bridal flowers can be added to the Elegant Package for an additional charge.
    
• The Photography Package includes: consultation with photographer and scheduling of photographs to be taken; 1 to 2 hours of photography session including both inside and outside shots; a CD disk of all photographs plus an electronic wedding photo album plus a professionally designed set of wedding album collage files with instructions on how to print your own hardcopy wedding albums. The Photography Package can be added to the Elegant Elope package for an additional $300.00. If you prefer, the staff is always willing to photograph your event with your camera at no cost; feel free to ask and we will assign a staff member to assist.
    
• The Avera Spa is the Hartness House's private couple's only spa suite. It is well equiped with: an oversized, mineral water whirlpool bath, a Finnish cedar-lined steam sauna room; a thermal therapy, oak-lined Infra-red Sauna, a standing sun tanning cubicle, a heated massage table, a Shiatsu massage lounge chair, minibar, large-screen Plasma TV with home theater sound system (bring your favorite CD/DVD or Ipod to connect), private mens and ladies bathrooms, facial steam treatment station, and fireplace. Bathrobes and disposable slippers are included.
  
  The Spa Package includes two 2-hours sessions which must be scheduled on arrival subjust to availability. Massage therapist services are additional if requested and must be reserve in advance. The Spa Package can be added for an additional $250 per 2-hour session. Please note that certain spa services may not be appropriate for persons with certain medical conditions.
    
• Prices are shown before taxes and gratuities. Package add-ons and additional bar and telephone charges are additional. A reservation is accompanied by a $250 deposit which is credited to the final total.
    

Call our wedding coordinator toll-free 1-800-732-4789 for more information on
Wedding Reception Packages

If you are looking to hold your wedding in New England, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Springfield, Brandon, Grafton, Manchester, Weston, Wilmington, West Dover, Woodstock, Chester, Ludlow, Stowe, Quechee in Vermont or Charlestown, Claremont, Walpole in New Hampshire, you will find the Hartness House Inn your ideal choice for creating your memorable and romantic wedding or civil union ceremony or event.

Call 802-885-2115 for more information